“The Report states that this was the gravest case which has come to the Committee for adjudication. It sets out the Committee’s views and reasoning clearly, and is accompanied by the detailed memorandum from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, as well as Mr MacShane’s response. I am sure the House of Commons will consider our recommendation as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate for me or any other Member of the Standards and Privileges Committee to comment on the substance of the Report before the House debates the matter.”

Standards and Privilege Committee’s report conclusion:

“We accept that Mr MacShane is widely acknowledged for his interest in European affairs, and the funds he claimed could be said to have been used in supporting that interest. Those activities may have contributed to his Parliamentary work, albeit indirectly. He has expressed his regret, and repaid the money wrongly claimed. But this does not excuse his behaviour in knowingly submitting nineteen false invoices over a period of four financial years which were plainly intended to deceive the Parliamentary expenses authorities. This is so far from what would be acceptable in any walk of life that we recommend that Mr MacShane be suspended from the service of the House for twelve months. This would mean he lost his salary and pension contributions for this period.”

DEVELOPING…

UPDATE:Full background on MacShane’s expenses shame can be found here.

GuidoFawkes Quote of the Day

“I read more bloggers now than mainstream columnists, because they’ve got more interesting things to say. Too many columnists today make you think, ‘Yeah, I think you’ve said that 10 times before and I’ve just noticed your column has not go a single fact in it’”.